Forrest Daniel McCoig

Forrest Daniel McCoig, 87, a distinguished physician and longtime resident of the Peninsula area, died peacefully at home, surrounded by family, on June 1st, 2025.  Born in Galax, VA on Aug. 11, 1937, he was the only son of the Rev. Austin Garland and Priscilla McPherson McCoig.  As a Methodist minister’s son, he grew up in several locations in the south, eventually graduating from Big Stone Gap High School, in southwestern Virginia, in 1955. He received his BS/AB degree from Asbury College in Kentucky before proceeding to the Medical College of VA., earning his medical degree in 1963.  He completed his internship at Riverside Hospital in Newport News, then began his Emergency Medicine career at Hampton General Hospital.  In 1966, Dr. McCoig joined the US Navy as a medical officer aboard the nuclear submarine, the Ethan Allen. Stationed out of New London, CT and Norfolk, VA, he finished those tours in 1969 as a Lt. Commander.  He then returned to the Hampton General Hospital Emergency Dept as a staff physician, where he treated over 175,000 patients over 28 years.  He was also on staff at Mary Immaculate Hospital and the HOPE center during that tenure.

Dr. McCoig was at the helm of numerous professional organizations and training programs over his career.  He became a charter member and first President of the VA American College of Emergency Physicians, serving from 1971-1974.  Later, he received a lifetime achievement award from ACEP and was honored with it becoming an award in his name.  He served as Chairman of the Hampton General Hospital Emergency Room Dept. several times and chaired the Advanced Life Support subcommittee under 5 Governors, becoming the 1st appointee to the Gov’s Advisory Committee on Emergency Medicine Services.  In 1972, and again in 1982, he was cited by the Mayor of Hampton for his part in starting, and teaching, the first EMT and Cardiac Tech courses in Virginia.  He retired in 1992 and received a White Coat award from ACEP, recognizing his many years of service in the field of Emergency Medicine. 

Forrest, or “Frosty” to many friends and colleagues, owing to his sun-bleached hair, was a big personality, who worked, played and lived vivaciously.  He excelled, and delighted, in a variety of hobbies, activities, interests and adventures.  He began a lifelong love of magic as a young teen and has performed a legion of shows for family, friends, parties and charity events throughout his lifetime. He achieved the top rank of Excelsior in the Order of Merlin, from the Intl. Brotherhood of Magicians, for over 50 years of membership. He also entertained others with his expert ventriloquy skills, where his witty banter with his dummy, Shaggy, always kept folks laughing. As a Civil War historian, Forrest collected a vast array of prints and books and spoke fluently on the subject.  Behind the scenes, he was an exceptional artist. He drew true-to-life portraits for every senior in his high school graduating class, which were displayed in the yearbook, alongside their photos.  He illustrated numerous newsletters, cards and even grandchildren’s school projects over the years.  Collecting model trains was another of his fascinations, and he devoted many hours to building detailed displays which gladdened many hearts at Christmas. 

As a college student, Forrest went on a mission trip as a trumpeter with a music quartet to Central America, preaching the gospel and playing music for over 300 services, in both English and Spanish.

Though he was an enthusiast of skiing, boating and even flying, he was probably best known for his passion for cars and motorcycles.  He owned a vast array of both over his lifetime, but retirement found him mostly riding Harleys with his fellow “Rumbling Farts” motorcycle group.  “Doc” as his cycling brethren called him, led them all over Virginia, as well as road trips to South Dakota and Florida for Bike Weeks, always abiding by their motto, “Live to Ride, Ride to Eat.”

In 1958, Forrest married Katharine R McCoig, his devoted wife of 23 years and beloved mother to their children, James A McCoig (Mary), Amy M Schmitz (Rob) and Laura M Spiers (Dean).  Later in life he found love again with Janet W McCoig, a career ER nurse, and they married in 1991, bringing another daughter, Kelly M Mancil (Christy), to the family.  They’ve been steadfast partners, sharing fun, family and adventures, for 34 years.  Forrest had 10 grandchildren, Nikki, Lisa, Ian, Emma, Christy, Jenna, Austin, Alex, Adam, Zoey and Emma. Six great grandchildren rounded out his family. Forrest was preceded in death by his parents, his former wife Kathy, his son-in-law, Robert A Schmitz and granddaughter, Lisa McCoig.

A celebration of life will take place at 1pm, Saturday, August 9, 2025, in the R. Hayden Smith Funeral Home chapel. The family will receive friends beginning at 11:00 AM.